Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA)

The Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) within the Department of Health and Human Services serves as the Department’s liaison to state, local and tribal governments and non-governmental organizations. IEA facilitates communication between the Department and these stakeholders regarding HHS initiatives and policies. An IEA regional office is located in each of the 10 HHS regions, led by a President-appointed Regional Director, the only political appointee in each HHS regional office. The regional directors serve as the Secretary’s representative in each region, engaging with stakeholders on a local and state level and serving in a convening and coordinating role on cross-cutting priorities in the Department.

In this endeavor, IEA serves the dual role of representing the intergovernmental and external perspective in the federal policymaking process as well as clarifying the federal perspective to intergovernmental officials and external stakeholders.

IEA aims to enhance communication and partnerships with local, state, and tribal governments as well as a variety of external partners such as, academia, private sector, labor unions, profit and not-for profit groups and national organizations.